5 Tips for Improving your Barbecue
Oh yeah! Gather up your buddies. Summer is here and it only means one thing: barbecue season. Let's roll out the grill and get cookin'!
Nothing compares to biting into delicious smoky barbecues in amazing outdoor sceneries. So here are some tips and tricks to get the most out of your outdoor bbq experience. Feed friends and family with delicious grilled meals rather than cremated food!
1. Choose the right type of barbecue
So you wish to impress your friends with superb grilling skills? Well, what you need to get first is a charcoal barbecue. This is the only way to get that smoky, mouthwatering flavor. You can still cook using a gas barbecue, of course. But don't expect to get a lot of oomph flavor-wise from your meat. You might as well use your oven to cook them.
Getting a lid is also necessary. It will help lock-in the flavors and will keep the temperature steady. This is essential if you want to whip-up some cheesy burgers, ribs and more.
2. Warm-up your meat first
Do you want to reduce your grilling time? Are you still striving to obtain that perfect medium-rare steak? It's actually just a simple trick. Let your meat sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes after taking it out of the refrigerator. The meat's interior will then start to warm-up. This cuts the time needed for it to be on the barbecue. Next, grill it at a high temperature for a couple of minutes. And voila! You now know how to prepare an amazing medium-rare steak that everyone will absolutely line-up for.
Nothing diminishes your overall barbecue experience than digging into dry, tough meat. For this reason, it's crucial that you marinate your meat first before you grill them. The best method is to marinate it for several hours, ideally overnight. This will guard the barbecue's flavors from being overwhelmed by the grill's smoke.
Feel free to experiment and get creative with your marinade. Do some testing with a lot of herbs and spices such as oregano, cayenne, paprika, coriander, sumac, cumin and chili powder.
Here's another excellent tip: You can, in fact, use your pre-grill marinade on your meat while grilling. This will add moisture and will trap the smokey flavor inside the meat. You and your friends can say goodbye to hard, dry barbecue!
Smoking with wood chips infuses an extra burst of aroma and flavor to your barbecue. You can get those from fragrant fruit trees such as sweet chestnut, orange and wild cherry. Ash, birch and oak wood chips could also work well.
While grilling, sprinkle two or three handfuls of wood chips over your coals to create smoke that will last for about an hour. Then cover it up with a lid to retain as much smoke as possible and help flavor your barbecue.
Want to try something different? You can actually use edible skewers. It's a wonderful way to save on costs and add a touch of uniqueness that can't be found anywhere else.
Rosemary sprigs are great with fish, lamb and kebabs while lemongrass stalks pair well with chicken, shrimps and swordfish. Grill pork and peaches over the flames with some cinnamon sticks to add a hint of spice to them.
On the lookout for more creative tips and tricks for your bbq needs? There are hundreds of techniques and variations that you can access online. Pick those that appeal you the most and begin your metamorphosis into a master chef!
